Aims: To study the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgical cytoreduction in the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 82 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancers (stage IIIC and IV) who were treated with NACT followed by surgical cytoreduction between 1995 and 2004 was performed. Response to NACT, optimal cytoreduction rate, disease-free survival and overall survival were analyzed.
Results: There were 59 patients (72%) with stage IIIC disease and 23 (28%) with stage IV disease. Diagnosis was established by imaging, ascitic fluid cytology and CA-125 estimations in 75% and by laparotomy in 25% of the patients. After NACT, complete response occurred in 17 patients (20.7%), 50 (61.0%) had partial response and no response was documented in 15 (18.3%) patients. Optimal surgical cytoreduction could be achieved in 72% of the patients. At the median follow-up of 34 months (range 6-102 months), 5-year disease-free and overall survivals were 31 and 32% respectively. The median disease free interval was 25.4 months. On multivariate analysis, degree of optimal cytoreduction was the only factor (P < 0.05) affecting survival.
Conclusions: NACT followed by surgical cytoreduction is a promising treatment strategy for the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers. A significant number of patients exhibit response to NACT. Downstaging following NACT leads to higher optimal cytoreduction rates and improved survival in comparison to historical controls.